News Release

A Northwest student discusses a career possibility and exchanges information with a company representative at Career Day last year. The event features about 100 employers offering full-time and internship positions. (Photos by Darren Whitley/University Relations)

Sept. 21, 2012

Career Services hosting Mock Interview Day, Career Day

By Philip Gruenwald, media relations assistant

Northwest students take advantage of opportunities to network with a variety of employers and enhance their communication and interviewing skills at events like Mock Interview Day.

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Students at Northwest Missouri State University can enhance their paths to a professional career in the next three weeks by participating in Mock Interview Day, Career Day and Next-Day Interviews, offered by Career Services.

Mock Interview Day is 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, in the third floor of the J.W. Jones Student Union. Participating students can familiarize themselves with the interview process and interact with employers in a low-pressure setting, as well as receive feedback on their interviews and resumes. For more information, including a list of attending employers, click here.

“Not only do you get an interview, but you also get feedback, and I think that’s the key part,” Stacey Stokes, career development coordinator, said. “This is not about job offers. This is about gaining job interview skills, gaining industry knowledge and just making those contacts and connections.”

Career Day is 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, in Bearcat Arena. A record-high 99 employers or graduate schools are registered to attend and more are being added. To view a full list of attending employers and graduate schools, click here.

Students participating in Career Day should dress like they would for an interview. They should also research the companies they wish to speak with, and bring a specific resume for each one. Students do not need to register for this event.

Stokes and Career Services Graduate Assistant Josh Clausen said students should interact with employers even if a desired position is not listed as being available. The position may become available in the future, and the interaction is still an opportunity to learn about the company or industry.

“Not every employer will have an opening in your desired position, but they might know someone who does, and they could send that resume to that person and possibly hire them,” Clausen said.

Next-Day Interviews can occur at any time or location after Career Day but are typically on campus Wednesday, Oct. 10. Most of the employers who meet with students for next-day interviews fill their interview schedules during Career Day, Stokes said. Employers are looking for students who have done their research and understand the position and the company.

“That’s the goal of Career Day – internship opportunities, part-time and full-time opportunities,” Stokes said. “Those interviews just extend that and take the next step to start the career process.”